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What I did on Summer Vacation

Our Talent Manager, Steve, gives us his thoughts from his summer vacation

Who’s Holding Your Ladder?

I had the opportunity to take a vacation the last week of June this year and I spent it with my family at the beach in South Carolina. I enjoy that vacation every year, but this year it was particularly nice, and for a couple reasons.

1. Wow, I REALLY needed a vacation this year. Everyone knows what it feels like to be stressed, tired, etc. That’s why we are afforded vacation time to recharge our batteries when they are on empty and I certainly took advantage of the opportunity to fully recharge my battery.

2. I read Who’s Holding Your Ladder? by Samuel Chand and found it to be one of the most impactful leadership books I have read.

So what was so great about this book? I mean, a leadership book, we have all read them, but what was so great about this book. Who’s Holding Your Ladder? is a leadership book that focuses on picking a strong support team. Mr. Chand describes this as a leader’s most difficult decision.

Do you focus on your team and teammates? Or do you set limitations based on your own personal abilities?

To use a great example from Mr. Chand, I ask you, who out there has ever climbed Stone Mountain right here in Atlanta, GA? Did you climb it alone? There is a good chance many of you did. Could you climb it alone? Of course you could as it is nothing more than a casual stroll up a slight incline.

Now, who out there has ever climbed Mt. Everest? For those that have indeed climbed Mt. Everest, did you climb it alone? Not a chance. It takes a team, a very strong and skilled team to summit Mt. Everest.

So, now on to your question. Steve, why would I go through selecting and training with a team to climb Mt. Everest when I can climb Stone Mountain on my own? Great question, and I answer it like this. Whether it is climbing a mountain, the corporate ladder, or achievements in your personal life you are absolutely limited to how high you can go if you choose to climb alone. Strong and effective teams allow you to reach heights you could never reach solo.